While wage theft hits virtually every industry, the undocumented are often hit the hardest. Many immigrant workers put up with unpaid overtime and even withheld final paychecks because they fear retaliation or deportation if they speak up. Illinois law is very clear on this issue. Under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act (820 ILCS 115), all workers are protected, regardless of immigration status.
Despite the constant flux in federal immigration laws, recent updates and enforcement initiatives have strengthened the rights of immigrants regarding wage theft, giving workers new ways to recover stolen wages, penalties, and even attorneys’ fees. An experienced Lombard, IL immigration attorney can help you determine whether you are the victim of wage theft, and, if so, the best way to recover those wages without risking removal.